LA Galaxy and StubHub Center Unveil In-Stadium Green House, Chicken Coop and Beehive as Part of Protect the Pitch

AEG's LA Galaxy and StubHub Center will grow own produce, honey and eggs in-house to be used in stadium for players and staff

LOS ANGELES (March 30, 2017) – AEG's LA Galaxy and StubHub Center have launched an in-stadium greenhouse, chicken coop and beehives that will produce various produce and food, which will be made available at StubHub Center for athletes and staff. The launch is a part of the Protect the Pitch program, an initiative designed to help the LA Galaxy and StubHub Center reduce carbon footprint and become more sustainable.

“We are excited to launch these sustainable initiatives that will allow us to produce various types of food in-house and continue to utilize StubHub Center in a resourceful manner,” said StubHub Center General Manager Katie Pandolfo. “Housing and facilitating a green house, bee hives and chicken coop at StubHub Center is extremely unique for a professional sports stadium. We look forward to servicing them as a means to become more self-sufficient in our operations as we continue to engage our community, save water, conserve energy and reduce waste.”

Among the new sustainable programs implemented are four bee hives that will produce over 800 pounds of honey each year. Additionally, 12 chickens are now housed in a dedicated chicken coop at StubHub Center and the LA Galaxy Greenhouse that will offer space for various produce. All of these materials will be used in food preparations for LA Galaxy, LA Galaxy II and LA Galaxy Academy players, coaches and staff to provide healthy and sustainable meal options. The LA Galaxy and StubHub Center will also feature space for the local community to utilize to develop produce inside the LA Galaxy greenhouse.

The LA Galaxy and StubHub Center will celebrate Protect the Pitch during a match between the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders FC on April 23. The match, presented by TreePeople, will highlight the numerous initiatives implemented by the Galaxy and StubHub Center. A full schedule of programming during the week leading up to the match will be announced in advance of April 23.

Last year, the LA Galaxy and StubHub Center announced the Protect The Pitch program, a club-wide environmental sustainability initiative. Protect the Pitch focuses on reducing the environmental impact of LA Galaxy games and practices at StubHub Center, supporting environmental projects in the community, and inspiring fans to help create healthier, more sustainable communities.

Last July, StubHub Center became the first soccer-specific stadium in Major League Soccer to illuminate its field using high-efficiency LED sports lights. The new upgraded lights use over 60 percent less energy than the lighting array it replaced.

As part of Protect the Pitch, the Galaxy and StubHub Center will continue to implement various efforts designed to engage the community, save water, conserve energy, and reduce waste while involving and encouraging the Galaxy fan base to support these efforts.

PROTECT THE PITCH INITIATIVES

In-House Resources

StubHub Center houses 12 chickens in a dedicated chicken coup on site

StubHub Center is home to four separate beehives which produce over 800 pounds of honey per year

A greenhouse resides that StubHub Center, which produces numerous types of vegetables used to provide food for tenants at StubHub Center

Energy

Motion sensors save energy by ensuring lights stay off when no one is using them

New and upgraded LED lights less 60 percent less energy than the lighting array it replaced

StubHub Center is the only soccer-specific MLS stadium to utilize LED stadium lights

StubHub Center uses 1-megawatt of Tesla batteries, StubHub Center manages energy usage in a more responsible and environmentally-friendly way

Water

The LA Galaxy irrigate fields at StubHub Center with roughly 50% recycled water, saving about 35 Olympic swimming pools of drinking water each year